Grow lettuce Indoors:
What made me decide to grow my own lettuce indoors?
I live in USDA hardiness Zone 6A and growing lettuce outside all year is not possible.
During the winter a lot of our fresh produce is either recalled by the government or it's very expensive.
I have tried growing lettuce from store bought lettuces, but the nature of the plant is to grow and then go to seed. When lettuce bolts the leaves turn bitter. So I decided to grow my lettuces starting with a humble seed.
What varieties of lettuce do I buy to grow indoors?
I buy Red Romaine Lettuce Seeds - it contain more vitamins, minerals with a significant amount of Vitamin K then other lettuce cultivars.
Red Leaf lettuce - just for colour.
What's the best way to store lettuce?
Store lettuce in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator. I find by wrapping the lettuce in a damp towel and putting it in a freezer bag, lasts longer for me in the crisper drawer.
How long does it take for indoor lettuce to grow?
This will depend on the lettuce cultivar you bought and growing conditions.
Typically, indoor lettuce takes about 45 to 60 days to harvest time. I only harvest the outer leaves as needed.
By the 30th day, I start another batch of lettuce seedlings giving me a continuous harvest all winter. That's as fresh I can get them.
How to grow Lettuce:
- Lettuce needs humus-rich, moisture retentive, but well drained soil. I use Costco potting soil and add extra perlite to help with drainage. Lettuce likes moist soil, but not waterlogged. :)
- Sprinkle the seeds on a tray or whatever you have and cover the seed lightly with soil. Lettuce seeds requires light to germinate.
- Spray seeds with water and cover container with plastic, holding it down with a rubber band or a plastic lid.
- Germination will appear between 4-10 days.
- Grows best in cool conditions and with PH 6.0 - 7.0
- When the seedlings have about 4 leaves, thin the seedlings to their own pots.
Lettuce is 90 percent water and has shallow roots, keep the soil moist, but not soggy. Do as I say and not as I do. Smile!
Lettuce will grow well by a sunny window, but I have mine under growlights until it's harvest time and then they'll sit as a precious jewel on the kitchen counter by the window.
Grow micro-greens during winter. Great way of utilizing left-over seeds.
What are common Pests in indoor lettuce gardening?
Aphids and over watering for me. Although, regular monitoring can help mitigate these challenges. I eat all of my lettuces before aphids finds them. ;)